For a game on the penultimate weekend of the regular season, a game that had serious playoff implications, a game between the top two teams in the American Hockey League's North Division, it looked a lot like October thanks to the penalty calls.

I sure wish I knew what in the world was going on, but I'm pretty sure no one does. Referee Tim Mayer assessed five minor penalties in the first 5:48 of play. At least two of the plays wouldn't have been worthy of punishment if it was a high school game.

You've heard of two-hand touch? This was no-hand touch. This was absurd. And it led to players not knowing what they could do, or couldn't do. In April.

The Amerks proved to be the smartest; they didn't lose their patience or tempers or composure. They managed to kill the never-ending string of minors assessed on them in the first period -- thanks in large part to goalie Andrey Makarov (again) -- and then took advantage of third-period power plays.

Peter Holland was penalized for goaltender interference just 2:51 into the third period, and when he wouldn't quit yapping, earned himself an unsportsmanlike conduct minor.

Luke Adam scored just 32 seconds into the first penalty to break a 1-1 tie.

"It was one of those games; ugly, a little ugly to watch, I'm sure," Adam said. "You would almost rather play five-on-five all game than have a game like that. But we found a way to win."

Then Toronto's Kevin Marshall was called for hooking at 5:06 and Jerome Gauthier-Leduc -- you remember him (or maybe you don't) -- boomed a slap shot past goalie Christopher Gibson at 7:04 for a 3-1 lead.

The Amerks protected that lead the rest of the way to win their fourth in a row and climb back above the playoff cut line in the Western Conference. They have 78 points with five games to play.

Five teams are in the hunt for just two spots. The Amerks lead that pack of five at the moment (Oklahoma City is a point back and still has the third period to play in Abbotsford as of 11:40 p.m. Friday). UPDATE: OKC lost 3-2. The Barons remain eighth with 77 points.

Charlotte (77), Rockford (75) and Utica (75/where the heck did the Comets come from?) are hoping to pounce and hoping teams ahead of them lose.

After the game, Amerks coach Chadd Cassidy was obviously frustrated by all the penalty calls. He said it was difficult to determine who the better team was because neither team could really get going.

"It was a game where it was hard to evaluate hockey. There was no flow to the game. It was disappointing because there's two good teams out there and I just never felt it was a hockey game. It was just managing what was going on.

"It was a very difficult game to be a part of. For both teams, I don't think it was an accurate assessment of two good hockey teams. Even when it was five-on-five ... it wasn't a very connected game."

Makarov was terrific again. Whether he's for real, or just a goalie riding a hot streak, I can't say for sure. I just know he's been good. He stopped 27 shots tonight.

"He just seems to be locked in," Cassidy said. "He's a gamer."

Watch practice and Makarov won't be confused with Ryan Miller or David Leggio. He's a bit on the relaxed side.

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Four minutes later, Mr. 100 mph slap shot, T.J. Brennan, walked into a major-league one-timer from the top of the right circle. Makarov gloved it and held on.

"That's my job, stop the puck, make some saves," Makarov said.

But that was a guy with one of the best shots in the AHL.

"He has a great shot," Makarov said, "but he shoot it right in my glove."

Yeah, whatever.

That's not how his teammates saw it. After the save, there was a collective "We're all right now," on the Amerks bench, Cassidy said.

Makarov just completed a whirlwind emergency recall, serving as Matt Hackett's backup on Tuesday in Buffalo and Thursday in New York before coming back so the Amerks had their new (at least for now) No. 1 goalie.

Makarov said the short recall was fun, and that it was also great to be back and help the Amerks win. He'll start again Saturday night at Hamilton, and most likely again Sunday in the 5 p.m. game at Cleveland.